Child Care Centers

The Environmental Health section completes sanitation inspections on all child care centers in Sampson County twice each fiscal year, and one time in each six-month period. All child care centers are licensed by the Division of Child Development and inspections performed by this department are forwarded to their agency.

Some of the items noted during the inspection include:

Handwashing

Food sources and storage, protection and service

Kitchen requirements

Cleaning and sanitizing of food preparation areas

Water supply and temperatures

Diaper-changing procedures and facility

Storage areas

Chemical and medicine storage

Beds, cots and linens

Overall cleaning and sanitizing of the facility

Construction of the facility

Lighting and thermal environment

Control of communicable disease

Outdoor learning environment and premises

A score card is posted at the center that states the classification and number of demerits noted during the inspection. A center receives a superior classification if the demerits do not exceed 15 and no six-point violations are found. The center is classified as approved if the demerit score is more than 15 but less than 30, and no six-point demerits are noted. A provisional classification is issued when the demerit score is more than 30 but does not exceed 45, or if any six-point demerit item is violated. The center has seven days to repair all provisional violations. A center is classified as disapproved if the demerit score is more than 45, or if the conditions that resulted in a provisional classification have not been repaired in the time period specified by the Department.

Constructing a New Child Care CenterIf you are constructing a new child care center, before initiating construction you must submit equipment specifications and the Plan Review Application to this office.